Does anyone *even* know you have a website?

From the blog Mediation Marketing Tips

We could all drown in the buckets of information on the internet. I get overwhelmed sometimes just looking at the list of blogs in my RSS feed. I have stopped reading them all, I just don’t have time.

We live in a time of information overload.

Yet, more and more people will turn to the internet for help.

How are you going to get noticed?

This is particularly important if you market your service directly to consumers (e.g. divorce or family mediation).

Google adwords and the rest are ridiculously expensive and may not be that effective.

Make no mistake about it, the social networking sites, blogs, podcasts, and video sharing sites (YouTube, google video) can drive traffic to your site. Which is what we call “lead generation.” If they have read or listened to your excellent content, they may also be pre-qualified and interested in your service.

You should care about whether or not you come up in the top 10 for a keyword search in your area.

Run some searches and see what you are up against.

Then, start a blog; write good relevant content for your niche. Update it weekly. Do an audio podcast. Heck, you can do a video that has screen shots instead of you talking.

Last year, I had a post with some resources for doing video. I would add camtasia to last year’s list.

Robert Ambrogi has an excellent (and very funny) post to get you going with a podcast called “School of Podcasting.”

Then go to Mr. Ambrogi’s media law blog and see how you integrate your podcast with your blog.

And, don’t be overwhelmed by the superstars. Remember, start small.

What are you waiting for?

If you are serious about building your practice this year, you will want to include one or more of the above.

Join LinkedIn.com and start networking.

Start with one strategy and see it through. Like to talk? Do a podcast interview series. Like to write? Get that blog going.

Have a compelling story to tell about a successful mediation (a great case study) about which you could create a video?

Remember to focus your content on education. Think of the key problems your market face and focus on providing high value content.

NEVER GIVE UP!

Kristina

p.s. Just for fun, I ran a google search of “media law” and Bob’s site came up 3rd. I also noticed a Silicon Valley lawyer’s blog was fifth: Cathy Kirkman at Silicon Valley Media Law Blog. Although disappointed that Cathy was touting Stanford’s win over Berkeley

Mediator’s new year resolution: use blogs, podcasts and/or social networking sites to get ranked in the top 10 for your relevant search terms.

                       

Kristina Haymes

Kristina R. Haymes is a mediator of litigated and non-litigated cases.  She has successfully assisted parties in resolving employment, real estate, commercial and family business & estate disputes. MORE >